AR-15 rifle drives U.S. gun debate

AR-15 style rifles, the type used in the Orlando massacre, have been used in at least 10 mass shootings across the U.S. since 2011, making them a focal point in America’s gun control debate

AR-15

Developed from U.S. military’s M-16 rifle, used in Vietnam War in 1960s

Outlawed in 1994. Ban expired in 2004 and Congress opted to not renew it

There are around 5 to 10 million AR-15 rifles owned in U.S.*

Cost: From $800 to $1,800

DEADLIEST MASS SHOOTINGS IN WHICH ASSAULT RIFLE WAS USED

Jun 11, 2016: Omar Mateen, uses AR-15 style assault rifle to kill 50 people and wound 53 at gay nightclub in Orlando, in deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history

Dec 2, 2015: Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik use two assault rifles and two pistols to kill 14 people at holiday party in San Bernardino

Semi-automatic rifle: Rate of fire depends on user’s speed in pulling trigger

Accepts various STANAG** magazines. 5-100-round capacity

Weight:2.3-3.9kg

Effective range: 400-600m

Calibre 5.56x45mm

U.S.

FLORIDA

CALIFORNIA

Dec 14, 2012: Adam Lanza uses Bushmaster AR-15 rifle to kill 20 children and 8 adults at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut

July 20, 2012: James Holmes uses assault rifle, shotgun and two pistols to kill 12 people at movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado

*According to National Shooting Sports Foundation

 **NATO Standard Agreement

Source: Mother Jones

Picture: Getty Images